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In the message “God’s Provision” we saw that our limited faith often restricts our prayers and therefore limits what God accomplishes in our life. Many times we fail to even ask because we’re fearful of a negative response; “You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:2). Then there are times when God answers but our limited faith refuses to accept His solution. We have God’s response but we never take the steps to follow His direction.

Naaman was the army commander of a kingdom northeast of Israel. He was a very successful soldier, but he had been afflicted with leprosy. At the suggestion of one of his servant girls, Naaman traveled to the home of the prophet Elisha so he might be cured.

2 Kings 5:10-12
“Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, ‘Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.’ But Naaman went away angry and said, ‘I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?’ So he turned and went off in a rage.”

Naaman was an important and proud man. He was offended when Elisha sent a messenger who told him to wash in the dirty Jordan! Naaman thought he had wasted his time, but one of his servants stated a simple yet profound truth: “If the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” (2 Kings 5:13).

Naaman made the decision to obey. He dipped himself seven times in the Jordan river and came out of the water completely cured.

How often does our limited faith or pride keep us from being “cured”? (I’m talking about more than a physical cure). We ask God to heal the broken areas of our life, and He says; “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” (Mark 12:30). But in our abundance of “wisdom,” we conclude there must be more – some “great thing” which will heal or give our life meaning. We pray again, and God simply replies; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

Today we will make a choice. We will choose our own path, which allows our “disease” to spread, or we will put aside our pride, follow God’s direction and be cleansed. True healing can only begin with the free gift of forgiveness through faith in Jesus. A life of purpose can only be found as we seek to glorify God in all we do. Let’s receive His gift and live a life of loving obedience as we trust Him with ALL our heart. Let’s praise Him with every step and receive a complete cure.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

In the message “Spiritual Companions” we saw how, at the time of his greatest need, God gave Elijah a spiritual companion to share the burdens as well as the joys of ministry. I’m so glad God understands this need in His children! Elisha served as Elijah’s attendant for many years while learning the ways of God. Just before the end of Elijah’s ministry – immediately before “Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind” (2 Kings 2:11) – Elisha made a bold request of his mentor.

2 Kings 2:9
“Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?’ ‘Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,’ Elisha replied.”

According to Jewish law, a double portion of the inheritance was given to the firstborn son. This son would also then have the honor of leading the family. By boldly asking for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, Elisha was asking to inherit Elijah’s prophetic ministry and his ability to serve God. Elisha could have made many different requests, but he asked to be blessed with an increased ability to serve.

God granted Elisha’s request and used him to perform many miracles and serve as a prophet for more than 50 years (almost twice as long as Elijah). God granted his request because Elisha’s motives were pure; his heart was firmly set on worshiping God through his service and proclaiming His Word throughout the land.

Solomon made a similar request when God offered to grant him anything he asked; “Give your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong” (1 Kings 3:9). The primary focus of our requests should always be to draw closer to God and glorify Him in all we do. Jesus said if this is the one true desire of our heart, all our other needs will also be satisfied; “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Our Heavenly Father desires to abundantly bless His children as we seek His kingdom. He desires to increase our abilities, knowledge, wisdom, peace, and all manner of gifts – He desires for us to inherit these blessings as firstborn sons, “coheirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). And when He blesses those with pure hearts, we ought to remember that He “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).

God honors the prayers of those who love Him with all their heart and desire to increase their ability to serve. Let’s “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16) and live our lives as firstborn sons. Let’s inherit all He has promised, and glorify His name as we boldly ask to be blessed with a double portion!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

In our current series of messages, we’ve considered Elijah as he experienced great victory on Mount Carmel but was then overcome with fear and loneliness. We saw how God provided comfort by first sending an angel and then through the gentle whisper of His presence (1 Kings 19:5-13). But Elijah clearly revealed some long term spiritual needs which could not be ignored; “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty…{but} I am the only one left” (1 Kings 19:14).

Elijah felt alone in his devotion to God and alone in his ministry. This loneliness was affecting his judgement as well as his ability to persevere under stress. He needed a spiritual companion who would encourage him and walk by his side. God recognized this need and sent him Elisha; “anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet” (1 Kings 19:16). Elijah was not being replaced; but since he had many “opportunities” for future discouragement, God provided someone to share the burden, provide motivation, and be trained for future service.

Elisha was in the field plowing with a team of oxen when Elijah first called him to follow. Elisha’s response was immediate and decisive, and he was devoted to Elijah for the remainder of his ministry.

1 Kings 19:21
“He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.”

God never intended for us to go into battle alone. While He is always at our side, ready to intervene, His Word also directs us to draw upon the strength of others; “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13).

Immediately after creating the first man, God said; “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). We were created to be people who need one another; “Two are better than one…if one falls down, his friend can help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Jesus demonstrated this wisdom as He sent messengers to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is near; “the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them TWO BY TWO ahead of Him” (Luke 10:1). Difficult tasks require mutual support and encouragement.

As we travel down God’s path, let’s listen to His counsel and not walk alone. Let’s entrust our lives to our Heavenly Father and seek other believers who will encourage us to remain in His presence and aligned with His perfect will. Let’s pray that God would bless us with courage and strength…and also with an abundance of committed spiritual companions.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

In the message “Touch of Compassion” we saw God’s understanding and mercy as He sent an angel to comfort Elijah during his moment of deepest despair. The angel demonstrated great compassion by offering food to Elijah and helping him regain his strength.

God then sent Elijah on a forty day journey through the desert – a journey which ended at the same mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments. When confronted by God on the mountain, Elijah honestly expressed his discouragement: “The Israelites have rejected Your covenant…I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too” (1 Kings 19:8).

Elijah felt utterly alone. He understood the holiness of God and how far his people had strayed from God’s path; but he also felt overwhelmed and helpless, unable to make a significant impact on God’s Kingdom. God answered Elijah by calling him to be Spiritually revived; “stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord” (1 Kings 19:11).

1 Kings 19:11-13
“Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face.”

Every one who desires to walk God’s path and serve Him with all their heart will sooner or later relate to Elijah. It’s unfortunate, but many will face Elijah’s overwhelming helplessness time and time again. The mission is simply too great when we only consider our limited ability! But no matter what the problem, God’s solution is always the same – we must come into His presence, be clothed with His strength, and listen intently for His leading.

We often assume that when the Creator of The Universe desires to “speak,” it will be with a thundering call; “Walk this way!!” But God desires for our heart, soul, mind, and strength to be focused on Him; to be free of the clutter and noise – the distractions which tend to “choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). A major part of God’s calling to all His Children is for us to simply be prepared to truly hear. It’s therefore not surprising that God most often speaks in a whisper during the quiet and still moments of our life.

No matter how busy we become, we must set aside time which is quiet and undisturbed – time where we can enter into the presence of God, worship Him, and listen. God desires to encourage us and give us clear direction today. Let’s love Him with all our heart and listen intently for His gentle whisper.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

In the message “The Lord is God – Follow Him” we saw how Elijah was used to demonstrate God’s power and call the people of Israel back to a life of worship. Elijah witnessed the miraculous and unequaled power of God as he prayed during his confrontation with the 450 prophets of Baal; “The fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, … and also licked up the water in the trench” (1 Kings 18:38).

After this unquestioned answer to prayer, Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and prayed for rain – there had not been rain in the land for three years. Once again, Elijah witnessed the miraculous hand of God; “The sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose and a heavy rain came” (1 Kings 18:45). But within a few days of these great spiritual victories, Queen Jezebel vowed to have Elijah killed. As soon as Elijah heard of the Queen’s threat, he became afraid and ran for his life into the desert.

1 Kings 19:4
“He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.'”

Elijah was a man who spoke directly with God and clearly witnessed His awesome power; yet, he fell into great despair when faced with this new adversity. Elijah experienced a wonderful victory, but it was quickly shattered.

What caused Elijah to become so discouraged? Had he already forgotten God’s power? Had a few victories caused him to take his eyes off God and begin to rely on his own strength? Or was he just worn out from being on the front line of ministry? Whatever the cause, in his moment of greatest victory Elijah became the most vulnerable to attack and failure; “I have had enough, Lord.”

When life is a struggle, we must pray and “trust in the Lord with all our heart” (Proverbs 3:5). When life is running smooth, we must pray harder and trust even more. But when we experience victory and dance on top of the mountain – when we begin to feel strong and “self” assured – we must pray as if our very life depended on it and lean on the Lord as never before. Our moments of greatest vulnerability to enemy attack come when we begin to think we no longer require God’s help. After the mountaintop the broom tree is closer than we might think.

Lord, remind us of our need! ALL we accomplish is through the strength of Christ; “apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). And as His promises are fulfilled in our lives, we must continue to walk daily by faith. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and reclaim the life of dependent devotion. Let’s remain in His presence and always guard against a fragile victory.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

Yesterday we came home from church and boxed up Christmas. That sounds kind of irreverent, but you know what I mean. Everything back in boxes and stored until next year. It’s official, the holiday season has come to a close. I wonder what will be different in this new year. What lessons have we learned?

After the birth of Jesus, Magi (wise men) came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2). When King Herod heard about this he became greatly disturbed. Herod had been appointed King of the Jews by the Roman government; but he was only partially Jewish and not well accepted by the people.

King Herod knew of the Jewish scriptures and how the people were waiting for the Messiah; “The government will be on His shoulders” (Isaiah 9:6). He heard the words of the prophet which told where the new ruler would be born; “Out of you {Bethlehem} will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel” (Micah 5:2). Herod viewed the news of this new ruler as a great threat. How would this affect his right to be king? Would he lose power? prestige? control? …comfort!? The potential harm was unbearable so Herod decided to take action.

Matthew 2:16
“He gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under.”

Many people today are not much different than Herod. Even when they recognize Jesus and clearly see their need, they fear losing the ability to direct their own path. They may not actually take steps to destroy Christ, but the thought of releasing control seems unbearable. Somehow, they’ve been taught that submission equates to failure. But the reality is that true “success” is only found in Christ, and true comfort is only obtained by being set free from the power of sin and the entanglement of this world.

Jesus was, and always will be, very threatening to those who insist on sitting on a throne. It’s foolishness to think Jesus will accept the position of Co-King. Those who attempt to enter a relationship with Jesus while trying to maintain their “right to rule” will never really know Him, and certainly never experience His peace.

Jesus will give Himself to “whoever believes in Him” (John 3:13). But in return, He asks for our total devotion: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). We give Him proper worship – the worship He deserves – only as we submit and exalt Him above all else; “He must become greater, I must become less” (John 3:30).

As we begin this new year, let’s ensure our relationship with Jesus is aligned with God’s plan. He is the rightful Ruler and King – the Savior and Lord! Let’s trust and worship Him with all our heart, and refuse to be threatened by His right to lead. Let’s decide once and for all to relinquish control and get our pride-filled self off the throne.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries